A strong start to 2023 in the Murray-Darling Basin
The new year has got off to a strong start for our team and volunteers in the Murray Darling Basin, and 2023 promises to be an exciting one for habitat restoration in the region.
Habitat mapping
We’re currently conducting habitat mapping of the Mehi River, with the data we collect helping to inform future restoration efforts along the waterway.
Habitat mapping is a technique that uses fish finder sonars to see woody structures located beneath the water’s surface. Our crew are working their way downstream, creating a detailed picture of an 11km stretch of the river. Conducting the survey from canoes, they’ll soon know where each individual snag is located.
Those snags provide a much-needed source of food, shelter, and shade for native fish so knowing their location and number is important.
We’re able to use fish finders because, in the past five years, the technology has improved greatly. Side imaging sonar is now an affordable and efficient way to undertake habitat mapping.
A look at a snag underwater using sonar technology. Snags like this are mapped and recorded.
The mapping data will offer enormous benefits to providing in-depth information on submerged habitat and the data collected will identify sensitive habitat areas for future restoration projects undertaken through our Moree River Repair Bus.
Head to the River Resnagging and Fish Hotels project page to find out more about previous habitat restoration projects and why snags are so important.
RIVER RESNAGGING AND FISH HOTELS
Incoming support for new projects
We’ve received support from the NSW Local Land Services Landcare Riparian Restoration Grants program to deliver a range of riverbank restoration works and community engagement activities. This forms part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package.
We’ll be delivering activity in Euston/Robinvale, Tenterfield, Dubbo, and Wagga Wagga through this funding.
Funding has also been incoming through the ‘Our Region, Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program. This will enable us to engage young people in Sunraysia, Tenterfield, and Dubbo in restoring healthy habitats for fish and wildlife.
They’ll be involved in a range of activities including planting trees along riverbanks, constructing fish hotels for threatened species, restoring wetlands, collecting rubbish, and developing and implementing a litter prevention campaign.
This will provide the young people involved with hands-on experiential learning, work-readiness skills, and empower them to bring about positive change for their local community.
If you want to find out more about how you can get involved in your area, check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities on the events page.